The Aksimentiev Group

DNA origamis have been found useful in various sectors of biotechnology. A DNA rotary motor made out of 10HB(helix bundle) and a DNA nano winch which uses a 6HB DNA origami are some of the modern day advances. This in fact forms the basis to "DNA mechanotechnology" - the use of nucleic acids to sense, transmit and generate forces at nanoscale. Following this idea to understand such DNA systems which may be used for the above said purposes, my DPhil. at University of Oxford  was aimed at developing mathematical models that can help us estimate the elastic parameters and properties of DNA origamis using the coarse grained oxDNA model. Our scientific curiosity made us explore the non-elastic regime  of DNA nanotubes and helped us understand the response of such rigid systems to extreme external twist. I have recently joined the Aksementiev group as a postdoc to explore the world of biophysics from an atomistic approach.